A former teacher from Shawnigan Lake School is facing six charges connected to sexual offences against a minor.
Andrew Michael (Andy) Olson, has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation, one of assault causing bodily harm, and one of child luring.
The incidents allegedly took place between December 2014 and March of this year in Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan Bay.
There is only one alleged victim in the case.
The identity of the complainant is protected by a publication ban.
According to Island district RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Darren Lagan, the Shawnigan Lake RCMP have been investigating the situation since earlier this spring.
"The Shawnigan Lake RCMP commenced an investigation in late March of 2015, once we became aware of allegations against Mr. Andrew Olson," Lagan said. "Given the nature of the allegations, and the fact he is currently before the courts facing multiple criminal charges, we will not provide any further details of our investigation.
According to an email Shawnigan Lake School headmaster David Robertson sent to alumni on Wednesday, a situation arose several months ago that led to
a faculty member being placed on leave.
"That individual is no longer employed by the school," the letter read.
"As a result of the subsequent investigation, charges have been laid and the media have now become aware of the situation. Depending on where you are, and because of the nature of social media, you may well become aware of some coverage and, as always, we anticipate that the tendency to sensationalize may well emerge. We know too that we can indeed be victims of our own success and, therefore, be an attractive
target for the ill-informed."
Olson was a senior history teacher at Shawnigan and chair of the school’s technology committee.
According to one online bio, he holds a BA in History from the University of Victoria and a Master of Educational Technology from the University of British Columbia.
Olson has served as a house director at the school, living with his wife on campus and looking after 55 male students.
Olson made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
His next appearance is scheduled for June 23.
